Sukkar Banat (Caramel)

Nadine Labaki's beautifully rendered film, released in 2007, centers around 4 women who are just trying to live their lives as best they can in Lebanon. But the audience won't be spoon fed the Western (American) mass media visual tropes of a war-torn hellhole, populated by Middle Eastern women suffering under oppressive male dominance and control. Though Ms. Labaki doesn't exclude the fact that women aren't exactly free here, either. As when her character's movements are restricted by hotel employees due to her being without a husband to vouch for her. Yet the film maker doesn't shy away from subjects one might think too sensitive and controversial for the region in where it was made. Such as extramarital affairs and lesbian affections. Thus revealing that, with few exceptions, the world essentially hands you the same choices, no matter where you live. One might come away from this movie seeing it as a "chick flick," since the focus is primarily about female friends. But this is really more of a cautionary tale, wrapped in the gauze of several character studies. And showcasing yet another example of great movies existing all over the world, but getting little to no attention outside of select film festivals, and the home countries of the artists who produced them. Sukkar Banat is a deeply moving love story to Beirut. Especially to and for its women.

الفئة